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Service Dogs

Claire Thomas

We accept service dogs on our flights*. 

In this article:

Definition of a Service Dog

The Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (ATPDR) defines a service dog as a dog that:

  • Has been individually trained by an organization or person specializing in service dog training and
  • Performs a task to assist a person with a disability or a need related to their disability.

To establish that a dog is a service dog for purposes of the ATPDR, a passenger could be expected to provide information such as:

  • An identification card or other document issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training that identifies both the person with a disability and their service dog
  • In the case of any service dog that is not a guide dog, an attestation by that organization or person specializing in service dog training that:
      • The service dog has been individually trained by that organization or person to perform a task or tasks related to the person's disability to assist the person with a need related to their disability.
      • A clear description of the task(s) the dog has been individually trained to perform to assist the person with their disability-related need(s)
      • The credentials of the trainer(s), including any qualifications, certifications, and affiliations with professional service dog organizations, and a clear description of the specific content of the training program(s) completed by the dog, including the duration of the program, the goals to be achieved by the dog, the involvement of the handler, the assessment methods used and the assessment results achieved by the dog and its handler.

Flair considers a service dog to be working for the duration of a trip. As such, the service dog must:

  • Be under control
  • Wear a harness, vest, or collar and leash (tether), or be inside a kennel
  • Be appropriately behaved

If a service dog is not under the handler's care and control or exhibits disruptive or inappropriate behaviours, Flair may be required to refuse transport. These behaviours include, but are not limited to:

  • Barking, growling, or biting
  • Jumping on people
  • Urinating or defecating in unapproved areas
  • Causing significant disruption

For more information, please visit the Canadian Transportation Agency's website at Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations | Canadian Transportation Agency  

Notification Recommendation

Flair requests that passengers provide us with at least 48 hours of notice before a flight’s departure to add a service dog to a reservation. If we are notified less than 48 hours before a passenger’s scheduled departure time, we will make our best effort to accommodate the passenger and service dog at the airport.

Onboard Seating

Depending on the overall dimensions of the service dog, Flair may arrange for additional seating on board (at no cost for travel solely within Canada) so the dog can lie comfortably at the passenger's feet. Service dogs must remain on the floor in front of the passenger and are not permitted on aircraft seats.

Animal Relief Areas

Most Canadian airports have pet relief areas. Please consult the airport's website for their locations. 

Registering and Booking a Service Dog

For more information, add an accessibility request to an existing reservation, or for assistance with making a booking, please call our Medical Desk at 1-833-382-5421. Voice relay service is available by calling 711

Passengers wishing to register their service dog with Flair can fill out the Service Dog Registration Form and email it to Flair at accessibility@flyflair.com more than 48 hours before the flight's departure.

Travel Outside of Canada

Depending on where passengers are travelling, additional documentation for entry may be required. We recommend researching entry requirements before booking travel.

Failure to meet a country’s entry requirements may result in the dog being:

  • Denied carriage
  • Denied entry upon arrival
  • Returned to their point of departure or country of origin
  • Quarantined
  • Euthanized (humanely put down) by the local government authority

Passenger Responsibilities under the ATPDR

  • Provide Advance Notice Flair requests at least 48 hours notice before a flight’s departure to travel with a service dog.
    ATPDR Note: if the person with a disability gives advance notice but the information or documents provided are insufficient or the notice period includes a day that is a weekend day or holiday, the carrier may not be able to complete its assessment of the request. In these cases, the carrier may not be required to provide the service. For this reason, travellers must provide the requested documents or information and make every effort to give advance notice that includes two full business days.
  • Provide Information and Documents Flair requests that passengers wishing to travel with a service dog provide a declaration attesting that the dog has been individually trained by an organization or person specializing in service dog training to perform a task to assist the person with a need related to their disability. Flair also recommends that passengers travel with the service dog’s documentation from the IGDF or ADI-certified schools, should it be requested at the airport or on board the aircraft.
    ADPDR Note: carriers may require a person who wants to travel with a service dog to provide an identification card or other document issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training. The document would need to identify the person and attest that the organization or person has individually trained their service dog to perform a task related to a person's disability. 

*This service is reserved for persons with disabilities. If a passenger does not have a disability, making false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements that they do may be determined to be a federal crime and can impact their ability to book future flights.

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